Mom, detective hope for closure in cold case

Teen's body discovered 10 years ago

Published: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 2:16 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 2:16 p.m.

Wiping away tears, Julie Clement said Tuesday she still hopes to find some closure in the death of her daughter, Hayley Marshall, whose decomposing body was found 10 years ago in a wooded area northeast of Dunnellon.

Julie Clement holds photos of her deceased daughter, Hayley Marshall, during an interview at the Marion County Sheriff's Office in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

Bruce Ackerman / Ocala Star-Banner

Clement met early Tuesday with Marion County Sheriff's Office Inspector Mike Mongeluzzo to discuss the case.

“I want some kind of closure and I'll be able to move on,” said Clement. “I've heard so many rumors. I don't understand how people can be so cruel.”

Hayley was 16 when she disappeared from her father's Southeast 24th Street residence on Feb. 26, 2003. Her nude body was discovered March 7, 2003, by a father and son who were riding four wheelers in the northeast corner of Southwest Ninth Place.

Mongeluzzo said the case has been classified as a death investigation since the manner and cause of Haley's death is unknown due to the state of decomposition. He said he has interviewed “a lot of people” and followed many leads in trying to solve the case.

The veteran detective said some people have claimed to know information about Hayley's death, but have been unwilling to do follow-up interviews or take a polygraph test. He said his best lead came two years ago, but the individual has since declined to return his phone calls.

Mongeluzzo said Tuesday's meeting with Clement was to raise awareness and hopefully gain some new leads.

“We're doing it to generate some leads to bring closure to the family and to keep the memory of Hayley Marshall alive,” he said.

Clement said Haley was born and raised in Ocala, and attended school here as well as in Jacksonville, where she lived for a time.

“She loved to draw, and music,” Clement said, tears running down her face.

At the time of her disappearance, Hayley, who was known as a runaway, was sick at home and had planned to go to the mall with her sister later that day. Clement said the back door of the home was left unlocked, which was something Hayley would always do when she planned to return.

Clement said she found it strange that Hayley's backpack was left behind, with her makeup inside, which she rarely ever was without.

An autopsy showed no apparent signs of trauma or signs of a struggle, including strangulation or suffocation. A toxicology report indicated there were no drugs in Hayley's system, or at least not enough to reach detectable levels.

Though it has been a decade since her daughter's death, Clement said she will never give up and hopes that one day detectives will solve the case.

“I will continue to keep her memory alive,” Clement said.

It's been hell,” she added. “Somebody knows what happened.”

Anyone with information can call Mongeluzzo at 368-3508 or Crime Stoppers at 368-7867, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward if someone is convicted.

<p>Wiping away tears, Julie Clement said Tuesday she still hopes to find some closure in the death of her daughter, Hayley Marshall, whose decomposing body was found 10 years ago in a wooded area northeast of Dunnellon.</p><p>Clement met early Tuesday with Marion County Sheriff's Office Inspector Mike Mongeluzzo to discuss the case.</p><p>“I want some kind of closure and I'll be able to move on,” said Clement. “I've heard so many rumors. I don't understand how people can be so cruel.”</p><p>Hayley was 16 when she disappeared from her father's Southeast 24th Street residence on Feb. 26, 2003. Her nude body was discovered March 7, 2003, by a father and son who were riding four wheelers in the northeast corner of Southwest Ninth Place.</p><p>Mongeluzzo said the case has been classified as a death investigation since the manner and cause of Haley's death is unknown due to the state of decomposition. He said he has interviewed “a lot of people” and followed many leads in trying to solve the case.</p><p>The veteran detective said some people have claimed to know information about Hayley's death, but have been unwilling to do follow-up interviews or take a polygraph test. He said his best lead came two years ago, but the individual has since declined to return his phone calls.</p><p>Mongeluzzo said Tuesday's meeting with Clement was to raise awareness and hopefully gain some new leads.</p><p>“We're doing it to generate some leads to bring closure to the family and to keep the memory of Hayley Marshall alive,” he said.</p><p>Clement said Haley was born and raised in Ocala, and attended school here as well as in Jacksonville, where she lived for a time.</p><p>“She loved to draw, and music,” Clement said, tears running down her face.</p><p>At the time of her disappearance, Hayley, who was known as a runaway, was sick at home and had planned to go to the mall with her sister later that day. Clement said the back door of the home was left unlocked, which was something Hayley would always do when she planned to return.</p><p>Clement said she found it strange that Hayley's backpack was left behind, with her makeup inside, which she rarely ever was without.</p><p>An autopsy showed no apparent signs of trauma or signs of a struggle, including strangulation or suffocation. A toxicology report indicated there were no drugs in Hayley's system, or at least not enough to reach detectable levels.</p><p>Though it has been a decade since her daughter's death, Clement said she will never give up and hopes that one day detectives will solve the case.</p><p>“I will continue to keep her memory alive,” Clement said.</p><p>It's been hell,” she added. “Somebody knows what happened.”</p><p>Anyone with information can call Mongeluzzo at 368-3508 or Crime Stoppers at 368-7867, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward if someone is convicted.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>